Newspaper Page Text
Page 6A
Salem Community News
UPSON
BEACON
i; Lights Kaplng ttatdi on
Thursday, December 23, 2021
By Claudette Fagan
Congratulations to Ms.
LaTonya Raines. She grad
uated from Southern Cres
cent Technical College
with an associate degree in
early childhood care/edu
cation on Monday, Dec. 14.
She also received certifi
cates in early childhood
program administration,
early childhood care/edu
cation basics, infant/tod
dler childcare specialist
and early college essen
tials. LaTonya will con
tinue her education at
Middle Georgia State Uni
versity in Spring 2022 in
elementary/special educa
tion. She is the daughter of
Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Mild
red Raines of the Salem
Community.
The family of Albert
and Claudette Fagan en
joyed a pre-Christmas
dinner celebration on Sun
day, Dec. 19. Family
members gathered for an
afternoon of fun, food, and
fellowship. Thanks to
those who played a part in
making this event a suc
cess.
The senior citizens
were on the road again on
Friday, Dec. 17. They trav
eled to Warner Robins for
the quarterly birthday
luncheon celebrating
members having birthdays
in September through De
cember. The luncheon was
held at Ole Times Country
Buffet. Thanks to Mrs.
Donna Auth for planning
the event. Twenty-two of
the seniors attended. A
special thanks is to the
driver, Mr. Clifford (Rico)
Andrews. Please feel free
to join in on the fun. If you
are age 60 or older, you
are welcome to attend.
Give the center a call at
706-647-1607.
An old-fashioned
Christmas dinner was held
at the center on Tuesday,
Dec. 21. The menu con
sisted of the following:
Collard and turnip greens,
cornbread, baked sweet
potatoes, salad, casseroles,
other vegetables, and des
serts. Thanks again to Mrs.
Donna. Wishing everyone
a Merry Christmas from
the seniors at the Thomas-
ton-Upson County Senior
Center.
Our prayers and sym
pathy go out to the follow
ing: To the Marshall and
Worthy family on the pass
ing of Mr. James Elijah
Worthy; to the Murphy
family on the passing of
Mr. John James (Jack)
Murphy; to the Burke
family on the passing of
Mrs. Cherry Burke. We
pray that God continues to
strengthen them during
their time of sorrow.
Continued prayers for
the sick and shut in: Mr.
Alva Ray Fagan.
Anniversary wishes are
extended to the following:
Bruce and Edwina Rich
mond will be celebrating
their 42nd wedding anni
versary on Friday, Dec. 24.
Isaiah and Phyllis Walden
will be celebrating their
47th wedding anniversary
on Friday, Dec. 24. Milton
and Linda Wilder will be
celebrating their 39th
wedding anniversary on
Sunday, Dec. 26. Felton
and Faye Ivey will be cele
brating their 50th wedding
anniversary on Sunday,
Dec. 26. Best wishes on
your special day.
Birthday wishes are ex
tended to the following:
Patricia Ivey Prater, Le-
nora Wilder, Linda Colbert
- Dec. 23; Teresa Blasing-
ame, Crystal Cox McDow
ell, Janet Williams, Cato
Caldwell - Dec. 25; Jol-
andra Jones Colbert,
Kiami Raines, Billy Bras
well, Marvin Morris, Tom
mie Bentley, Steve
Manuel, Gina Drake
Woodard - Dec. 26;
Kimberly Gibson, Tameka
Dawson, Rubbie Blasing-
ame - Dec. 27; Marquel
Mathis, Henry Wilder,
Charlie Raines, Crishanda
Colbert Lamar, Terri Ann
Dickey - Dec. 28; John
Voss, Leila Grant, Ledia
Wilder Turner, Cynthia
Reynolds, George Res-
press, Roscoe Pennyman,
LaTonya Blasingame, Sa
vannah Kendall, Brandy
Paschall - Dec. 29. Happy
birthday to each of you.
Thought for the day:
I never want to have so
much in my possession
that I cannot afford to be
merciful. I never want to
have so much that I’m too
cheap to have compassion
on people.
Merry Christmas
Community News By Elaine Walker
Thankful Thursday to
Mr. and Mrs. Willie Smith,
Eden Level, Mary Walker,
Jean Ward, Shanquake Ste
wart, Kali Walker, Christie
Searcy. Chevian Dudley, Kay
King, James and Regina
Grant, Mary Copeland, Arl-
isha Ivey, Beverly Pettigrew,
Jan King, Mary Rogers, De
nise Lockett, Beverly Collier,
Angela Sparks, Marilyn
Staten, and Mable Brown.
Belated birthday wishes are
extended to Lizzie Pearl
Wells, Connie Mann Evans,
Tina Brown, Olivia Walker,
and Athen Guice.
Birthday wishes are ex
tended to Kaston Drake,
Kristie MaCafee, and Mary-
ette Johnson.
Happy 50th anniversary
to Willie Henry and Lillie
Williams.
Mrs. Dorothy Carthon
would like to say thanks to
everyone that came out on
Saturday, Dec. 18 to help her
celebrate her birthday. Spe
cial thanks to her sons, Do-
nell, Bryant, and Chad.
Thanks to Mr. Bobby and
Kay Searcy for all of your
help. May God richly bless
you all.
Continued prayers are
extended to Andrea Davis,
Katherine Burden, Bobby
Searcy, Laura Brown, Ear-
nestine Walker, Terry Willis,
Elvis Searcy, Dorothy Car
thon, Charles and Daphney
Andrews, Simmie and Da-
nita Worthy, Kate Harris,
Nora Harper, Loretta Bras
well, Renita Scout, Ada King,
Gracie Paige, Lucile Ken
dricks, Willie James Walker,
Louis Brooks, and Bernice
Zeek.
Our prayers and sympa
thy are extended to the
family of Emory Brazil, and
the family of Jack Murphy.
We pray that God continues
to strengthen them during
these sad times.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
We have shared together
the blessing of God. Philip-
pians 1:7
May God bless this spe
cial season with hearts and
homes that reflect the true
spirit of Christmas, the
wonder of believing, the joy
of giving, and the delight of
sharing with those we love.
With warm and caring
wishes for a wonderful
Christmas and His blessings
in the new year. Merry
Christmas!
2022 General
Budget,
Continued from Front
far as other forms of reve
nue.”
Allen voiced a “pos
sible... probable” increase
in millage rate next year,
but said, “A lot can
happen between now and
summer.”
“There has been more
discussion surrounding
this budget than any I can
remember,” Allen con
cluded. “We’ll work hard
to be judicious, but we
have this EMS issue com
ing at us pretty hard.”
Commissioners au
thorized Allen during a
special called meeting
Monday to execute a
service delivery agree
ment with a provider
which will enable the
county to pursue the
Upson zone license.
County Manager Jason
Tinsley, along will con
sultant Russ McGee, rec
ommended Ameripro
EMS out of Riverdale
over three other com
panies which submitted
proposals..
Ameripro proposed a
joint network with Lamar
County, in which Upson
would have three ded
icated units and Lamar
would have two. The
agreement would cost
Upson approximately
$960,000 and would cost
Lamar about $495,000,
according to Tinsley.
McGee said he inspected
the ambulances, con
siders Ameripro “very
professional, and feels
good about the partner
ship.”
Tinsley said commis
sioners would need to
amend the county budget
in January to accommo
date the EMS venture.
Commissioners also
voted unanimously to ap
prove IPG, Inc. Architects
& Planners of Valdosta as
the architectural firm for
the new judicial center
project.
Founded in 1976, IPG
offers comprehensive
programming, planning,
design, and construction
administration services
to governmental agencies
throughout the U.S., Cen
tral America, and Puerto
Rico, specializing in de
sign of facilities for fed
eral, state, county, and
municipal agencies, ac
cording to the company
website.
Boasting designs
which reflect the func
tional and aesthetic vi
sion of its clients, the
company’s design teams
work collaboratively,
from early planning
through project comple
tion, using expert space
planning and interior de
sign work, coupled with
superior architectural so
lutions, the site states.
“With each client
served, we strive to both
uncover and tangibly rep
resent ‘the unique spirit
of the place,’ which
makes each project dis
tinctive from every
other,” IPG officials say.
Commissioners ap
pointed or re-appointed
the following:
•English Law Group
re-appointed as county
attorneys
•Jessica Jones re-ap-
pointed as county clerk
•Steve Rush re-ap-
pointed (out of five appli
cants) to the
Thomaston-Upson In
dustrial Development
Authority
•Alicia McKinley and
Johnny Dawson both re
appointed to the planning
commission
•James Ellington re
appointed to the office
building authority
•Frances Trice re-ap-
pointed to the records ad
visory board
•David Callaway re
appointed to the board of
assessors
•Jones re-appointed,
Ivey and Brenda Dawson
appointed to the board of
elections
•Ruth Hatchett re-ap-
pointed to the Depart
ment of Family and
Children Services
•Adrienne Shales ap
pointed as Three Rivers
Regional Council non
public member
•Steve Keadle and
Jack Lough (submitted
suggestions) to the hospi
tal authority
Commissioners are
seeking volunteers and
nominations to the li
brary board and the
board of health.
bacco, marijuana, and methamphetamine into
the facility for inmates, according to Sheriff
Dan Kilgore.
“I am disappointed,” commented Sheriff
Kilgore. “This is a disgrace to every honorable
and hardworking employee, and I expect him
to be prosecuted to the maximum extent al
lowable by law.”
Rattray remains in custody with no bond
at the Lamar County Jail and the incident re
mains under investigation, according to Kil
gore.
Pleas Accepted by Judge Sams
The following pleas were ac
cepted Dec. 15 in Superior Court
by Judge W. Fletcher Sams:
Antonio D. Davison - theft by
taking, 12 months probation, 90
days confinement with credit for
time served, and 40 hours com
munity service; simple battery, 12
months probation consecutive to
previous count and $1,000 fine;
Rhandel B. Watts - battery,
12 months probation;
Lacy Bellew - possession of
methamphetamine, three years
probation, successfully complete
the Spalding County Drug Court
Program, and $1,500 fine;
Lacy Scott - financial trans
action card fraud, two years pro
bation consecutive to previous
count and $1,000 fine; forgery in
the fourth degree, 12 months pro
bation concurrent with previous
counts and $1,000 fine.
Domestic
Dispute,
Continued from Front
his father.
The Georgia Bureau of
Investigation was called to
process the scene, accord
ing to Kilgore, and UCSO
has consulted with Griffin
Judicial District Attorney
Marie Broder. Both the
son and mother have co
operated with the investi
gation, and no charges
have been filed as of Tues
day.
The case remains active
and ongoing.
Other unrelated arrests
and charges reported by
UCSO include the follow
ing:
Joshua Thorne Gassett,
two counts of aggravated
assault (Family Violence
Act) and possession of a
firearm during commis
sion of certain crimes,
along with simple battery
(FVA) and disorderly con
duct;
Amari Zierre Jones, ag
gravated assault;
Romone Armondo
Zorn, two counts of drug
trafficking, possession of
methamphetamine with
intent to distribute, pos
session of marijuana with
intent to distribute, three
counts of illegal possession
of a controlled substance,
and felony probation vio
lation;
Stephen Jason Martin,
felony probation violation;
Joseph Ben McKinley,
felony probation violation
(possession of firearm);
Steven Bruce Waller,
felony probation violation.
Jail Employee,
Continued from Front
Cherie Spillers,
Continued from Front
of GLGPA. Some of the
many duties of the media
coordinator include keep
ing social media outlets
updated with photos,
newsletters, etc., as well
as ensuring the member
ship is regularly updated.
Spillers has been
Upson County’s human
resource coordinator
since October 2016 and
became a member of
GLGPA in January 2017.
In November 2020, she
received the certified
human resources man
ager certificate from the
University of Georgia’s
Carl Vinson Institute of
Government. She will ful
fill the role of media co
ordinator/board member
for GLGPA on an ongoing
basis.
Meetings & Events
Email your Meetings and Events to
dlord@upsonbeacon.com
or submit online at upsonbeacon.com
Charges may apply.
Artists Help Artists Tuesdays at TUAC Gallery
Artist of all kinds are invited to join others to work on in
dividual art projects, share creative knowledge and give back
to the community. Join artists at the Thomaston-Upson Arts
Council Gallery on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. TUAC is
located at 201 South Center Street in Downtown Thomaston.
Free Community Pancake Breakfast Held Monthly
A free community pancake breakfast is offered from 8 to
10 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month at New Bethel
Church, located at 1278 Jeff Davis Road in Thomaston. No
pancake breakfast will be held in December.
Former National Guard Members Meet Quarterly
Former National Guard members meet quarterly on the
third Wednesday of January, April, July and October. For
questions and information, please contact Gene Goins at 706-
975-4464 or David McDonald 706-648-3950.
Lincoln Park Volunteer Fire Donations Begin Jan. 1
The Lincoln Park Volunteer Fire Department began accept
ing fire dues Jan. 1, 2021. Please mail your donation of $25 to
P.O. Box 695, Thomaston, GA 30286. Donations of $25 or
greater are tax deductible; a receipt will be mailed back to you.
Donations also can be paid at the Lincoln Park Volunteer Fire
Station Mondays from 7-9 p.m. Thank you for your support.
Thomaston City Council, Upson County
Commission Meets Tuesdays
The Thomaston Mayor and City Council meet at 7 p.m. the
first and third Tuesday of each month at the Government Com
plex, located at 106 East Lee Street. The Upson County Board
of Commissioners meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Tues
day of each month at the same location.
Thomaston Kiwanis Meets Weekly
The Thomaston Kiwanis Club meets at Noon on Tuesdays
at the Thomaston-Upson Civic Center. For more information,
call Mike Jones at 706-646-7364.
Thomaston SERTOMA Meets Twice Monthly
The Thomaston SERTOMA Club meets the second and
fourth Thursday of each month at noon at the Senior Center.
For more information, contact Dan Brown at 706-975-1610 or
Jeff Sanders at 706-975-2581.
Thomaston Toastmasters Meet Twice Monthly
Thomaston Toastmasters meet at The Pie on the sec
ond & fourth Thursdays of every month from 12-1 p.m. We
focus on improving communication and leadership skills in a
fun, supportive environment! Everyone is welcome! For more
information, call 706-325-2330.
Upson 4-H Homeschool Club Meets
First Wednesday of Every Month
The Upson County 4-H program will host a Homeschool
Club from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every
month, from October 2021 until May 2022. This year’s theme
is STEAM - Agricultural Commodities. For more information,
contact the Upson County UGA Extension Office at 706-647-
8989.
DAR’s John Houstoun Chapter Meets Monthly
Daughters of the American Revolution’s local John Hous
toun Chapter meets the second Wednesday of each month at
3:30 p.m. at the Upson Senior Center Memorial Hall. Contact
Pat Cox at 706-647-9896 for additional information.
Christmas Candle Light Supper Dec. 23
A Christmas Candle Light Supper will be held at New Be
thel Baptist Church at 6 p.m. Christmas Day. New Bethel is lo
cated at 1278 Jeff Davis Road in Thomaston.